Immediate support
Immediate support

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

BeyondBlue Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start
  • replies: 0

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are... View more

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are really interested in what you might want to add to these conversations. We get it, having anxiety makes it hard to share in a public place. Remember, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anxiety in some form in their lives. This might be in social settings, at work, or just in the day to day. You don’t need a diagnosis to post here. If it feels like the right spot for your post, go right ahead! We know that feeling anxious can make it hard to reach out so we want you to know that getting this far is amazing and a great start. A few tips for getting the most out of this section: Get involved when you can! Posting and replying is the heartbeat of this community and you DO have something worthwhile to share (when you’re ready ) Every experience is different. There is no competition here. We know how challenging anxiety can be and how it comes in all shapes and sizes. What you are experiencing will be respected and supported here. Trust yourself! You are the expert in your experience. This community works because people like you share what has worked for you. Thank you for getting involved and taking a look. We can’t wait to hear from you! Beyond Blue

All discussions

Start a discussion

Guest_63065509 Anxiety at work
  • replies: 2

Have been stood down with pay at work because of a complaint made. This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me and I feel like I have no one to talk to about it without judging me. I am so scared what it may mean for me. I have... View more

Have been stood down with pay at work because of a complaint made. This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me and I feel like I have no one to talk to about it without judging me. I am so scared what it may mean for me. I have financial obligations to meet. I don’t even want to tell my family or friends what has happened because I feel so horrible about myself.

Pink grapefruit How can I cope with anxiety?
  • replies: 2

Due to some issues happening at work and will happen more in the coming months, I feel so worried that I might fail everything. I am failing now already but I may be failing more soon. It is so hard not be able to see any hopes at this stage. I feel ... View more

Due to some issues happening at work and will happen more in the coming months, I feel so worried that I might fail everything. I am failing now already but I may be failing more soon. It is so hard not be able to see any hopes at this stage. I feel I am losing part of myself lately. How can I cope with this anxiety and stay normal? Could anyone please share your experiences?

Ellen-May_ Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Are there other women out there, my age 77 with severe depression and anxiety?

Are there other women out there, my age 77 with severe depression and anxiety?

Bluest_Light Resigning from work tomorrow
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I was googling ‘I am resigning from work tomorrow due to anxiety’ and found some of these forums. The support and empathy shown made me feel quite emotional. You are good people.I’ve worked with my boss for almost 10 years at different c... View more

Hi everyone, I was googling ‘I am resigning from work tomorrow due to anxiety’ and found some of these forums. The support and empathy shown made me feel quite emotional. You are good people.I’ve worked with my boss for almost 10 years at different companies and we have had a good working relationship, but over the last year or so I feel like the current company (he owns this one), has lost its way. I don’t feel like I am morally aligned and I can no longer see the vision for the future. In addition, I’ve suffered from anxiety for 20 years but until the end of 2024, it had never impacted my work. In fact I was always so grateful that anything work related, my brain seemed to give me a break and back off! But now I am anxious almost daily. I have all the fun symptoms, racing heart, nausea, gagging in the morning, emotions all over the place and I have finally made the decision to listen to my body and give myself a break.But I am incredibly nervous that my resignation is not going to go down well at all.I actually feel a little better just from writing this down! If you have read this far, thank you and I hope you have a good night. Bluest_Light

SleepyRain Help with driving
  • replies: 4

Hello Everyone, As the title states, I'm looking for help/advice with driving. This is going to sound stupid but I'm in my 30s and I still don't have a driver's license or even learner's because of my anxiety. I have 2 fears regarding it: 1. I don't ... View more

Hello Everyone, As the title states, I'm looking for help/advice with driving. This is going to sound stupid but I'm in my 30s and I still don't have a driver's license or even learner's because of my anxiety. I have 2 fears regarding it: 1. I don't trust other people on the road, even if I do all the right things on my end it's not going to stop some random drunk driver from crashing into me. 2. I don't trust myself, I overthink things and have the fear I might crash and hurt/kill someone by accident. Mind you, I would never be the type to drive recklessly or be under the influence of anything. I'm the the type who would drive like a granny and be 'vanilla'...no offense to anyone here. I know I'm not the only one out there with this type of anxiety, but I feel frustrated with myself not being as independent as I like to be because I don't want to rely on others or the limited public transport in my area. I feel like I would have more freedom and it would be a big step in helping myself to get back on track with life.

Pink grapefruit Feeling not good enough
  • replies: 4

Hii always feel I am not good enough. The only way to have less of these feelings is not resting and instead doing something for career development etc. Because of this, I feel very guilty not doing anything for work even on the weekends, which also ... View more

Hii always feel I am not good enough. The only way to have less of these feelings is not resting and instead doing something for career development etc. Because of this, I feel very guilty not doing anything for work even on the weekends, which also makes me feel exhausted. Also, I feel people think I am not capable of my current position at work and should not be doing it. Because of this, I have a huge anxiety that I may be let go soon. It is hard.. I wonder if there is anyone who can relate yourself. I am now a mid age. I want to enjoy life and blame less on myself. Would anyone like to share your experiences and how you have overcome these feelings if any?

Beaser Shingles getting to me.
  • replies: 1

Hi and best wishes to everyone. I had been going along pretty well. About 4 weeks ago i had a very bad attack of shingles and it has lingered on and is still very painful . It is all starting to effect my mental health as i have missed doing things i... View more

Hi and best wishes to everyone. I had been going along pretty well. About 4 weeks ago i had a very bad attack of shingles and it has lingered on and is still very painful . It is all starting to effect my mental health as i have missed doing things i normally do. Then i question myself am i being a bit of a sook is it really that bad. I just now its very painful at times and ive been put on medication for it that makes me tired . I really didnt need to have this happen. Best wishes to all. Beaser

Loz_06 Small business pressure -How do I keep pushing through when I’m drained physically and mentally.
  • replies: 5

I took over a hair salon business when I was 24 years old I’m now 31.It started with myself, a close friend who was my business partner and 1 apprentice.i was the hairdresser my friend who I went into business was the Bookeeper.From day 1 it has not ... View more

I took over a hair salon business when I was 24 years old I’m now 31.It started with myself, a close friend who was my business partner and 1 apprentice.i was the hairdresser my friend who I went into business was the Bookeeper.From day 1 it has not stopped with the challenges. My business partner was constantly taking money out aswelll as putting it back, i regularly voiced my concerns and it took me 2 years to finally have enough of the financial strain she put on me. I was already operating the floor, hiring staff, training them, doing clientele, working 44 hours with little to no lunch breaks. I decided to call the accountant to work out a buy out figure to which he told me he hasn’t done the books since we started. Turned out the tax and super that was being paid was straight to her personal account and got spent. I was in court for 3 years disputing it. First year into court, covid hit. Now I was fighting to keep the businesss I worked so very hard for. With lockdowns of a total of 9 months over 2 years without funding was stressful to say the least. I recently decided to put my business up for sale as my mental health has completely deteriorated the last 2 years, I was constantly getting sick, trying to still work and manage 4 employees that iv had since they where apprentices. 2 months into it being advertised and 2 months out from Christmas 2 of my employees handed there resignation in not for any bad reason other than it was time for them to explore a new direction. I was happy for them personally but on a Business level it left me with one hell of situation. It took me 5 years in total to train them up to fall apart in 2 months right before the madness. I’m worried I can’t keep fighting through all these obstacles that come my way with so little energy as it is. I’m having panic attacks during work, I’m run off my feet and I’m working more hours to cover the clients who where booked in with the 2 girls who are no longer here. I’m exhausted mentally and physically and I feel trapt till I can sell it. I’m having manic crying episodes nearly every night after work dreading each day that comes. I’m starting to loose control of my emotions within work and can’t hold back them tears. I can’t take time off now being so close to Xmas with only 2 partimers left and one being an apprentice.financially iv ran at a loss the last 2 years and the pressures are suffocating me.Any advice on how to manage the pressure and self care with little time to do so?!

Rose_Davies26 Anxiety about Independent Medical Examination
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone,Not sure if this is the correct place to put this but I guess I’m quite overwhelmed about an upcoming psychological Independent Medical Examination appointment next Friday.I’m 25 (F) and recently lost my mother three weeks ago. She was di... View more

Hi everyone,Not sure if this is the correct place to put this but I guess I’m quite overwhelmed about an upcoming psychological Independent Medical Examination appointment next Friday.I’m 25 (F) and recently lost my mother three weeks ago. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2026. Her diagnosis did coincide with a few challenging circumstances that exacerbated by stress levels. As such, I did express suicidal ideations. On the week leading up to her death, I also had two significant anxiety attacks at work (away from customers!). As of two weeks ago, my manager has stood me down from workUnbeknownst to my manager, the suicidal ideations had dissipated in November when the other circumstances improved. Except for the anxiety attacks and understandable sadness over my mother, I have been in a relatively good frame of mind.I have also been regularly engaging with the EAP services, my own psychologist (who is happy to provide a letter supporting my immediate return to work) and have been accepted into a postgraduate program. I certainly have a lot of support and clear on ideas on how I’m moving forward.I’m just apprehensive about this appointment, worried about the outcome and wondering if anyone had any advice or similar experiences.Rose.

KhloeLove Relief Teaching After Being on Contract
  • replies: 2

Hi there, I’ve been searching for a teacher platform to find responses and experiences from teachers, especially regarding the difficulties of mental health and being an educator. I had a contract at a school I instantly got attached to and really di... View more

Hi there, I’ve been searching for a teacher platform to find responses and experiences from teachers, especially regarding the difficulties of mental health and being an educator. I had a contract at a school I instantly got attached to and really did not want to leave. I ended up not having another contract renewed for this year and it has been extremely hard to deal with. My question is, with joining another school with a whole new community of people and systems seeming pretty impossible, would it be awkward going into relief at the school I had the contract with. I am pretty young and fresh out of uni as well (I forgot to mention that before). I did have a lot of conversations with mentors and advisors to try and navigate the situation and I’m worried that advocating for my mental health and being vulnerable and honest has damaged my ‘image’ of being a ‘good teacher’ and candidate. I’m grateful for any strategies that I could use to take that first step back into teaching. Thank you fellow teachers and know that you have a person who truly recognises how daunting, heavy and anxiety inducing this profession is, even with all the love and passion we have for it.

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright © 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map